Game of Thrones: The Red Dragon Lord

The mention of dragon bones jolted Gavin from his focus on maps. "Dragon bones? Where are they? Take me to see them immediately!" He grabbed Hassan's arm, urging him to lead the way.

They descended into an underground treasure chamber, the air cool and musty. There, Gavin's eyes widened in awe. Before him lay the massive, intact skeleton of an adult dragon.

Its wingspan, judging by the bones, stretched an impressive eight meters, with its length exceeding eleven meters. Gavin ran his hand over the dragon's skull, feeling the faint remnants of magic within. Yet, the energy was disappointingly sparse for a creature of this size.

"Only ten points of energy," Gavin murmured, frowning. His pendant, crafted from a Belleris dragon bone fragment, held far greater potency. The full skeleton, though visually impressive, offered limited immediate gains. Still, it was a monumental find.

"Hassan, where was this found?"

Hassan recounted the story relayed by the pirates: the skeleton was unearthed in a cave during Black Shark "Earl's" occupation of Shipwreck Bay. Gavin immediately demanded a guide to the cave.

Journey to the Cave

The trek was arduous, taking Gavin and his party deep into the heart of the island. The dense jungle eventually gave way to a rocky hillside. At its base lay the cave, its entrance yawning like the mouth of some forgotten beast.

Inside, the air was damp, tinged with decay. Their footsteps echoed against the vast, empty walls. As they explored, Gavin's keen eyes spotted something unusual—a dark red material wedged in a gap between two boulders.

Using tools, he excavated the substance, his strength dislodging chunks of rock. At last, a gray dragon egg emerged, its surface marred with cracks and devoid of its former luster.

The egg was lifeless, stripped of magic and vitality. Gavin sighed, slipping it into his bag. "A hollow remnant," he muttered.

Their search of the cave yielded no further treasures, and the party returned to Shipwreck Bay, the dragon egg serving as both a token of lost potential and a reminder of the island's untapped mysteries.

Contemplation and Strategy

That night, Gavin sat alone in the pirate king's hall, the dragon skeleton towering beside him. His hand rested on its skull, the faint traces of magic seeping into him.

His mind was restless. Despite his victories, he was acutely aware of the fragile foundation of his rule. The pirates under his command were loyal only to his strength and fearsome reputation. Beyond Shipwreck Bay, Earl's scattered forces remained a threat, while rival powers in the Stepstones loomed like vultures over a carcass.

Gavin's options crystallized in his mind:

Reorganization and Training: Discipline the pirates under his command, weeding out the unruly and instilling cohesion.Consolidation of Power: Secure nearby islands, expanding his influence and resources.Long-term Strategy: Build alliances or rivalries with the Dornishmen, the Three Daughters, and other major factions as needed.

His resolve hardened. "If chaos reigns here, then chaos shall be my tool."

The Dockyard and the Black Shark

The following day, Gavin visited the shipyard. The scent of tung oil and sawdust filled the air as slaves and craftsmen worked tirelessly.

He inspected the nearly completed flagship, the Black Shark. At 80 meters long and 20 meters wide, it was a marvel of engineering. Its three towering masts reached over 50 meters, and the sleek hull was designed for speed and durability. The addition of ballistas promised formidable offensive capabilities.

Gavin's gaze lingered on the rows of paddles, envisioning the ship cutting through the seas with both manpower and wind power. "This will do more than carry my banner—it will instill fear."

He summoned the shipyard's overseers and craftsmen. "Tell me about the conditions here," he commanded.

One steward, a wiry man with sunken eyes, hesitated before speaking. "The workers are slaves from Slaver's Bay, my lord. Food is adequate, but their quarters are cramped, and many suffer from sickness due to poor sanitation."

Gavin frowned. "Improve their conditions. Sick and weak workers build poor ships."

The steward bowed. "Yes, my lord."

The Path Forward

Gavin's mind swirled with plans as he left the shipyard. The Black Shark would serve as a symbol of his burgeoning power, a tool to cement his dominance. But his aspirations reached beyond ships and swords—he envisioned order rising from chaos, with him at its helm.

The Stepstones, rife with conflict and ambition, was a crucible for leaders. Gavin resolved to forge his own destiny, using the island's resources, its people, and its secrets to claim his place among the rulers of this tumultuous sea.